Cape Vincent Historical Background
Cape Vincent residents take great pride in the historic background of this
area and in the heritage of their ancestors.
Earliest history of this area dates back to the first Indian settlements in
New York State. Traces have been found of an Iroquois prehistoric village,
and it has been shown also that the Onondaga Indians claimed this portion of
New York State as their hunting grounds.
The first record of the white man’s visit to this immediate vicinity was in
1615, five years prior to the memorable landing of the Pilgrims. Samuel de
Champlain and his compatriots on their expedition to the Iroquois country
reached Lake Ontario near Kingston, Ontario, thus bringing the expedition
within the water limit of the town.
In 1664 the first white man -- Father Simon le Moine, a Jesuit Missionary
– camped within the area which would become the township of Cape
Vincent.
Early in 1655, French Missionary priests, Father Chaumonot and Father
Dablon, were here as missionaries among the Onondaga Indians. History
shows that both England and France were endeavoring to monopolize the
Indian trade and to extend their influence with the native tribes. The French
established a fort at Niagara and the English established a fort at Oswego.
Both the French and English built trading posts, established missions, and
built homes in this area.
Fort Haldimand was built on Carleton Island by the English, and
government vessels were built on this island.
Among the large landholders in the north country was James Leray de
Chaumont who came to America in the late 1700’s. He is credited with
supporting the American Revolution with much of his fortune. His holdings
covered a large part of this area and included much of what is now the Town
of Cape Vincent.
The LeRay family owned and settled much of the land in this area, with
most of the early deeds of the late 1700’s bearing the signature of Vincent
LeRay. Familiar names then, as now, are Gosier, Docteur, Dezengremel,
Mussot, Chavoustie, Favrey (Favret), Merchant, and Majo.

2

Abijah Putnam in 1801 became the first white settler on the mainland,
naming the area Port Putnam. He started a ferry service to Wolfe Island
from this settlement.
In 1805 the settlement was moved two miles to the west and was called
Gravelly Point. This name was changed to Cape Vincent by James Leray de
Chaumont in 1811 in honor of his son Vincent. Due to the declaration of the
War of 1812, it was necessary to have armed forces at Cape Vincent. There
was no army post on the frontier in as much danger as Cape Vincent, since
the enemy had a large force in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. At this time
many inhabitants left for back settlements, but when the danger was over,
many returned and the number of settlers steadily increased.
By 1815, the LeRay family started building the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Stone Houseâ&#x20AC;? for their
summer residence. In 1818 the first Custom House was established.
Cape Vincent Township was separated from Lyme in 1849 and included
Grenadier, Little Grenadier and Fox Islands in Lake Ontario; Linda and
Carleton Islands in the St. Lawrence River. The village of Cape Vincent was
incorporated in June 1853 with a population of 1,218.
Cape Vincent developed rapidly during the era of the early 1800's when
the state road was extended from Brownville to this village. In 1848
sufficient stock was subscribed to warrant building a railroad from Rome to
Cape Vincent, at a cost of $7,500 per mile. Then a large train shed, hotel,
freight houses and wharf were built. The railroad was the main means of
transportation to and from this village for many years.
Lumbering, ice harvesting and shipping, hay and vegetable seed culture,
boat building, dairy farming, blacksmithing, and pulpwood shipping by
water and rail were among the businesses of the early years of Cape Vincent.
In the latter part of the 19th, and early part of the 20th century, commercial
fishing and cheese factories were important to the local economy.
Cape Vincent has always maintained a high standard of education for its
young people. History shows that one of the first schools of learning in the
area was erected on Carleton Island in 1823. From then on many one-room
schoolhouses were built throughout the area, the records showing that there
were seventeen school districts in the Town of Cape Vincent in 1906.
3

The first of three Cape Vincent Newspapers, the Gazette, was published in
1852. The Cape Vincent Eagle was published from 1872-1951, when the
final edition was printed. The first of three Cape Vincent Newspapers, the
Gazette, was published in 1852. The Cape Vincent Eagle was published from
1872-1951, when the final edition was printed.
As early as 1880, the "Thousand Islands" were being written about in a
book published in Canada. Shortly after, Cape Vincent was becoming a
popular vacation resort for down-state residents. At this time, it was recorded
that: "In Cape Vincent may be found the best small mouth bass fishing
among the Thousand Islands--here the surroundings are picturesque, the
climate is mild and healthful.â&#x20AC;?
By 1900 Cape Vincent was a "bustling townâ&#x20AC;?. There were seven grocery
stores, three meat markets, a bakery, two drug stores, five hotels, a paint and
wallpaper store, a book store, two clothing stores, two general stores, a
hardware store, and a jewelry store. There were also five physicians, three
dentists, two lawyers, two undertakers, and several dress makers. Businesses
included boat builders, hay dealers, photographers, monument salesmen,
blacksmiths, milliners, tailors, draymen, and several livery stables.
In 1968, local residents inaugurated a French Festival Day. This day has
become an annual affair and is held on the second Saturday in July near
Bastille Day. French Festival Day has grown each year since 1968, bringing
thousands of visitors to Cape Vincent for the celebration which consists of
many French booths, exhibits, costumes, French pastries, parade, band
concerts and climaxed with a gigantic fireworks display in the evening.
As you travel through Cape Vincent today your first impression is
probably of the serenity of the village, or the friendliness of its inhabitants, or
the beauty of the St. Lawrence River. Those of us who make our home here
in the Cape Vincent area are very proud of all of these factors. We would
like to introduce you to a few of the landmarks and other outstanding points
of interest in our community.

4

Guide to Architectural Styles
The following section briefly describes the most common architectural styles
of buildings featured in this guide. Additional information on architectural
styles can be found in the sources listed in the bibliography.

Federal Style: 1800-1840
The Federal style reached the United States following the American
Revolution and soon became the most popular building style for the new
nation. The Federal or “Adams” style takes its name from the three Adams
brothers who had the architectural practice in England between 1760 and
1780.
The Federal style encompasses all buildings that were constructed during
America’s Federal period, between approximately 1790 and 1820. One
variety of the federal style is the Georgian. The typical Georgian-plan house
is five bays wide, two and one-half stories height, with a symmetrical façade
and center entrance.
Architectural styles and trends remained in use in this vicinity much later
than their prototypes in New England. For example, Federal style
architecture was common locally until the 1840’s but was rarely found in
New England after 1820.
Federal style houses are typically simple rectangular boxes two rooms deep,
with unadorned, symmetrical facades and shallow, low-pitched roofs.
Windows are often double-hung six-over-six sash, adorned with shutters and
prominent lintels and sills. Paneled doors in the center of the façade are
surrounded by sidelights and topped with elliptical fanlights.
The Vincent Leray Stone House of 1815-1817 (page 13) is Cape Vincent’s
grandest example of a Georgian Federal Style residence.

5

Greek Revival Style: 1820-1860
The Greek Revival style reflects America’s identification with the ideals of
Greek democracy. The Greek Revival or “National” style, with its pared
down simplicity and use of temple fronts was first popular for public
buildings. The style gained popularity for residential construction when
carpenters’ pattern books were published in the first half of the nineteenth
century. The north country, settled after the War of 1812, has an abundance
and great variety of Greek Revival houses. Front gable houses with one or
one and one-half-story side wings were especially common on farmsteads
built during this era.
The style is identified by the bold, simple moldings and heavy cornice lines
emphasized with wide bands of trim. Both gable and hipped roofs are
common. Pilasters decorate corners and occasionally, facades. Rectangular
transoms and sidelights are contained within prominent door surrounds.
Enlarged frieze bands sometimes contain small windows for extra light.
Maple Grove of 1838 (page 16) provides an excellent example of a large,
gable ended Greek Revival structure.
Gothic Revival Style: 1830-1880
The Gothic Revival style, first used for churches and mansions, grew out of
the Romantic movement in literature, art, and architecture. Andrew Jackson
Davis, a prolific architect, developed the picturesque style. The invention of
the scroll saw also helped to spread the style resulting in its common
reference today as the “Carpenter Gothic” style.
Steeply pitched gables with decorated vergeboards continuing along eaves
characterize residential structures of this style. Steep gables, either center or
paired, are arranged asymmetrically across the façade. Windows vary in size
and shape, but an arched window often graces the peaked gable. Elaborate
porches and moldings are also employed.
The St. Vincent of Paul Catholic Church (page 17) is Cape Vincent’s best
preserved example of the Gothic Revival style religious structure.
6

Italianate Style: 1850-1880
The Italianate style, developed during the Picturesque movement, lent itself
to commercial and residential architecture. Buildings, often of masonry
construction, were modeled after rural Italian farmhouses. Cast iron and
pressed metal, first employed during the period for building material,
decorated commercial structures.
Residential and commercial structures contain wide eaves, often supported
by large single or paired brackets. Houses, nearly square in plan, have tall
first floor windows and low roofs, sometimes topped with a cupola. Ushaped hood moldings may top first and second floor windows. The door
often echoes the shape of the windows. Single-story porches flank the
entrance or entire width of the façade.
The E. K. Burnham House of 1870 (page 31) is a good example of an
Italianate style residence.
Second Empire Style: 1860-1880
Francois Mansard, a 17th-century Frenchman, invented a roof which allowed
attics to be expanded into usable floor space. The style, considered modern it
its revived form, gained popularity for remodeling. The General Delos
Sacket House of 1875 (page 23), is an outstanding example of this style in
Cape Vincent.
A steeply sloping mansard roof with dormer windows identifies Second
Empire style buildings. Other features are similar to the Italianate style.
Despite the influx of French immigrants to the north country, few examples
of the Second Empire style exist in the Cape Vincent area.
Other “newer” styles evident in Cape Vincent are the picturesque Victorian
styles (1860-1900), including the Stick, Queen Anne, and Shingle varieties,
and the Colonial Revival style (1880-1910).
The following pages will take you on a walking tour of the Village of Cape Vincent and
its landmarks. We will begin our tour at the Cape Vincent Historical Museum. The tour
will cover 2.5 miles. Please note that an asterisk (*) placed after the historical name of
a landmark indicates that it is listed on the National Registers of Historic Places.

7

Cape Vincent Historical Museum
The home of the Historical Museum is located in one of the oldest
buildings in Cape Vincent. This venerable stone structure was used as a
barracks to house soldiers during the War of 1812. Later on, the Forsythe
Brothers manufactured ironwork for sailing vessels and cook stoves
during its days as a foundry and machine shop. It also has served as a
Town Barn and the Chamber of Commerce offices. In May of 1992 the
Museum was dedicated. In 1996 , the previously used assessorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office
was replaced with a new wing for the Museum which includes a WWI
ambulance, a little red pumper used to fight village fires, and an ice boat.

Leave the museum and travel two short blocks inland to Broadway (State
Route 12E). Turn right on Broadway and across the street sits the â&#x20AC;Ś

8

Cape Vincent United Church *
(First Presbyterian Society of Cape Vincent)
This church is surrounded by Italianate commercial structures. The First
Presbyterian Society of Cape Vincent was formally organized in 1832, at
which time church construction began on a lot that was given to the
society by Mr. LeRay. The building was completed by 1840. The
original stone structure has been partially retained in the back section of
the present church. In 1882 an ornate wooden front was added. This has
subsequently been modernized.

Proceed across Point Street and at the corner of Broadway and Market
Street find â&#x20AC;Ś

9

Monaghanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pub and Roxy Hotel *
The Roxy Hotel, formerly the Jerome house, is historically significant as
the only intact surviving hotel building from the period of commercial
development of the village of Cape Vincent in the late nineteenth century
The hotel was built in 1894 and was the center of the local tourist
industry (as the headquarters of the St. Lawrence River Guides
Association).

Continue east on Broadway one block to Real Street. Down Real Street
towards the water was located the famous â&#x20AC;Ś

10

Cup and Saucer House
The Cup and Saucer House was built by Count Real in 1818, one of
Napoleon I followers, for occupancy by Napoleon in the event that he
could be rescued from St. Helena. The house resembled an inverted cup
placed in a saucer. The lower part was octagonal surrounded by piazzas
and crowned with a cupola and tower. It was handsomely furnished with
mirrors, paintings, and furniture brought from France. One room,
especially fitted up, was intended for the Emperor, was always known as
“Napoleon’s Room”, but Napoleon passed away. Theophilus Peugnet
lived in the house when it burned in 1867. The site is now occupied by
the community library.

Cross Real Street and proceed up Broadway. On the water side of the
street are found some large wooden structures, known as …
11

Windy Bank circa 1870 (top left)
The Woodruff House circa 1907 (top right)
St. Vincent of Paul’s Rectory circa 1890’s (bottom left)
The Peugnet House circa 1850 (bottom right)
Some of these structures have changed appearance over the years, but
most retain a good deal of original architectural fabric. Further up
Broadway, you will enter the Broadway Historic District.

The Broadway Historic District contains three estate properties in the
village of Cape Vincent built between 1815-1840 by prominent French
émigrés. Located on the St. Lawrence River on the west edge of the
village, the 22-acre district encompasses seven contributing elements five
houses and two outbuildings.
The first house in the District, found on the right is the …
12

Vincent LeRay Stone House *
The Stone House was the earliest building in the historic district. It is
two-story, five-bay Georgian style building of dressed regularly coursed
limestone quarried on Carleton Island.
In 1815, James LeRay de Chaumont had the Stone House built for his
son, Vincent, for whom he named the village. The house was located
across the street from the land office (no longer exists) and provided a
local base for Vincent to oversee the family land business. The Stone
House was a very large and refined building for the frontier settlement.
In 1815, the year before the road to Watertown opened, Cape Vincent had
only eleven houses.

Proceed up Broadway past a garage and another house and find the â&#x20AC;Ś

13

Stone House Servants Quarters
In 1820, the LeRay family built the Servants Quarters adjacent to the
Stone House to house the household staff. It is a one and one-half story
frame residence adjacent to the Stone House on the north side of
Broadway. It has a steeply pitched gable roof which flares out over open
porches in the front and back.
The porches, or galleries, stuccoed end walls, and casement windows in
this building reflect the vernacular French Colonial building style found
throughout Quebec and the Mississippi valley in the eighteenth and
nineteenth centuries.

Across Broadway from the Servants Quarters sits the â&#x20AC;Ś

14

Stone House Farmhouse
The original Stone House property extended south of Broadway and
included the Farmhouse circa 1840, a vernacular two-story frame
residence. Its L-shaped plan, deep cornice, and six-over-six windows
were characteristic of the Greek Revival style. It had a wraparound
porch and porte-cochere which were added circa 1890. An octagonal
lattice gazebo and a one-story frame stable circa 1920 with a shallow
hipped roof also contributed to the historic character of the property.

A short distance past the Farmhouse on the same side of Broadway is
located â&#x20AC;Ś

15

Maple Grove
When the LeRay family and many of the French Bonapartistes returned
to France in the early 1830â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Theophilus Peugnet purchased the Stone
House and the Maple Grove parcel. He had Maple Grove built in 1838.
Charles Smith, who actually constructed the house, purchased Maple
Grove in 1847. Mr. Smith owned Carleton Island and was a locally
prominent lumber merchant.
Maple Grove is a Greek Revival style building and is distinguished by its
two-story pedimented portico displaying a high level of detail and
craftsmanship, notably in its doorway with engaged pilasters, transom,
and sidelights.
Travel back towards the village crossing Vincent Street to Kanady Street.
Turn right on Kanady and travel two blocks, crossing Joseph Street, and
on the right find â&#x20AC;Ś
16

St. Vincent of Paul Catholic Church *
The St. Vincent of Paul Catholic Church was constructed in 1858 on
land donated by the Smith family and with limestone given by Louis
Goler. Prior to the construction of the church, services were held in the
home of Jean Philippe Galband and Augustus du Fort. The Golers, du
Forts, Grappottes, and Peugnets were all French immigrant families who
formed a significant segment of Cape Vincent’s population at the time.
Their names are represented on the stone monuments in the parish
cemetery, which contributes to the historic character of the property.
Turn left on Lake Street and travel two blocks until you reach Market Street
(Rt.12E). Turn right and go south about .2 miles and on your right you’ll see …

17

The 1820 Market Street Cemetery
James LeRay deeded the land for this cemetery to Henry Ainsworth and
you can find graves dating back to 1820 until the late 1920s. Samuel
Mills, a veteran of the Revolution is buried here along with fifteen
veterans of the Civil War. As you enter the grave yard, you’ll notice a
tall marker with the name of Chisholm. Four members of the Chisholm
family drowned when The Wisconsin Steamer caught fire and sunk at the
head of Grenadier Island in May of 1867. The Henry Ainsworth family
and other prominent citizens such as James Buckley are also buried here.
As you go back down Market Street you’ll notice a second cemetery
behind the St. John’s Episcopal Church. This cemetery contains many
historic carved stone monuments from 1852 through the early twentieth
century, and includes citizens such as Otis Starkey and his family and
General Sacket. Continue down Market Street to Joseph Street and on the
corner on the right find the …

18

John Borland House *
The John Borland House was constructed between 1818 and 1828 by
John Borland on land which he purchased from Vincent LeRay. The
small scale and simple form of the Borland House probably reflect the
necessity for economy in this frontier village, which had only eleven
houses in 1815. However, its restrained Federal details appear to reflect
a measure of prosperity, probably resulting from increased trade due to
the newly opened road to Watertown (1816) and Cape Vincentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growing
importance as an international port.
Stuyvesant Fish donated the house to the village of Cape Vincent in 1937
to be used as a civic center. It has been known as the Community House
from that time and has been rehabilitated as a community center and
village offices.
Proceed on Joseph Street to the next house on the left which is known as the â&#x20AC;Ś

19

James Buckley House *
The James Buckley House was built circa 1846-1850. The house is
named for its original owner, James Buckley, who with his wife,
Tryphina, purchased the property in 1845 from James LeRay. Buckley
was probably the owner of James Buckley and Son, manufactures of
shingles, doors, and blinds. The Buckleys were active members of the
community.
The James Buckley House is architecturally significant as an intact
representative example of a Gothic Cottage style residence. As the best
example of this style in Cape Vincent, it reflects the new interest, after
about 1840, in the picturesque styles that were quite different from the
Neoclassical style and vernacular house types already prevalent in the
town.
Continue on Joseph Street to the intersection with Point Street. Across the
intersection to the right is located the â&#x20AC;Ś

20

Otis Starkey House *
The Otis Starkey House (circa 1820) is architecturally significant as a
distinctive example of formal Federal style residential architecture in
Cape Vincent. Distinguished by its stylish arcaded façade the Otis
Starkey House is the only example of this type in Cape Vincent. Its twostory massing, three-bay side entrance plan, and formal fenestration are
characteristic of many New England Federal style residences.
The original owner was Otis Starkey, a prosperous merchant and banker,
who served as Postmaster, Town Supervisor 1853, and Village President
in 1856. He was also an active member of St. John’s Episcopal Church
and donated the land on which it was built.
Proceed to Joseph Street one block to James Street. Turn right and travel
on James one block to the intersection with Lake Street. Cross the
intersection and to the right view…
21

Jean du Fort House *
The Jean Philippe Galband du Fort House, built between 1818 and 1821,
is architecturally and historically significant as a distinctive, intact
example of vernacular residential architecture from Cape Vincent’s
settlement period and the only building known to have retained elaborate
original interior furnishing and decoration from the French Bonapartiste
immigrants who settled in Cape Vincent after Napoleon’s downfall. At
one time there were the unsigned oil portraits of Washington, LaFayette,
Napoleon I, and Chauteaubriand, a marble mantle piece, a chandelier,
and an ornate gilded mirror in the drawing room, which illustrated both
the republican political views and cultivated taste of Jean Philippe
Galband du Fort and Count Augustus du Fort, the original owners of the
house. In France, J.P. Galband was a knight (Chevalier les Ordre
Royales et Militaires), and held the Legion of Honor (Legion d’Honneur
of St. Louis and Maximilian de Boviere) under Napoleon. Count
Augustus du Fort served as a midshipman under Oliver Hazard Perry.

Continue three houses up James Street and on the right is the …
22

General Delos Sacket House *
The General Sacket House is architecturally significant as an intact
example of a Second Empire style residence and as the most refined,
high style example in Cape Vincent. It is historically significant for its
association with its original owner, Brigadier General Delos Bennett
Sacket, a native of Cape Vincent. Built in 1872-75, the property reflects
both the wealth and prominence of General Sacket and the influence of
the Victorian era styles in the town during this period.
General Sacket was born in Cape Vincent in 1822. He graduated from
West Point in 1840, in the same class as General Sherman. He was
appointed an Inspector General under the administration of U.S. Grant, a
position he held until his death in 1885. General Sacket used the
property as a vacation home, where he entertained General Sheridan and
General McClellan among others.
Proceed back down James Street and cross Lake Street to Joseph Street, then turn
right and travel four blocks to William Street. Across the intersection and to the
right view â&#x20AC;Ś

23

Henry Crevolin House
Henry Crevolin’s red brick house was built in the early 1840’s. It is a
vernacular structure with simplified Greek Revival styling. The
Crevolins were loyal followers of Napoleon who migrated here after the
Battled of Waterloo. Being accustomed to having servants, Madam
Crevolin brought a personal maid, Therese Chauvelot, with her from
France. She would eventually deed the house to her maid.

Turn left on William Street and travel one block to Broadway. Look
towards the water and if the view is not obstructed by stored boats
observe the …

24

Cape Vincent Railroad Station
The last rail for the new Cape Vincent rail line was laid in the spring of
1852. A large train shed, hotel, freight house, and wharf were built at that
same time. September 11, 1895, was a black day in Cape Vincent as the
large train shed was totally wrecked in a windstorm that day.
One year later another passenger station was built. It was eventually
moved a short distance from its original site and renovated by F. Russell
Fitzgerald. Today it serves as a marina office and supply store.

The railroad complex ran downriver along the waterfront to the right.
Today new residences have replaced any signs of this important part of
Cape Vincentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s development. Remnants of the old coal pier and silos can
been seen, however, three blocks down river from Williams Street at the â&#x20AC;Ś

25

Cape Vincent Waterfront Park
Cape Vincent is fortunate to have this shoreline recreation area for the
enjoyment of the public. The land was donated to the Village by the Roger
Mead family and the St. Regis Paper Company. The Village and community
groups have cooperated to develop and beautify the park.

Proceed west on Broadway and on your right view the â&#x20AC;Ś.

26

Duvillard Mill (Cape Vincent Fisheries Station) *
The Duvillard Mill is historically and architecturally significant as Cape
Vincentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only intact limestone industrial building, recalling a short-lived
period of industrial development in the mid-nineteenth century. The mill
was built in 1856 by Antoine Duvillard to house a stern-powered grist
mill. A subsequent owner, George Grant, sold the building to the U.S.
Government, for use as a fishery station in 1895. In 1906 alone, the
fishery station stocked over 38 million fish in the St. Lawrence, greatly
increasing the supply of game fish, particularly Whitefish. In 1965 the
building was transferred to the state of New York and is currently
operated by the Department of Environmental Conservation as a research
station and aquarium.
Continue on Broadway to Murray Street. Cross Murray and to the left is the site
where once stood the 1809 log block house built by Eber Kelsey. It served as a
hospital during the War of 1812 and thereafter as a school and town meeting
house. It was moved around the corner in 1889 and is now part of a residence. In
its place was built the â&#x20AC;Ś

27

Ainsworth-Rider Hardware Building *
The Ainsworth-Rider Hardware Building, built in 1903, is architecturally
and historically significant as a remarkably intact representative example
of an Italianate style commercial building that reflects, by its large size
and high level of embellishment, a Cape Vincentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commercial prosperity
in the late nineteenth century. The building originally housed a hardware
store, a theater on the second floor, and probably housing or storage on the
third floor. The theater was unique in the town and, along with the salons
and hotels which operated in the village at the time, it served an increasing
population of workers, sailors, and tourists who arrived with the expansion
of transportation and trade. It is also the former Odd Fellowsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Hall.
Across Broadway to the right can be found the â&#x20AC;Ś

28

Henry Ainsworth House
The Henry Ainsworth House is an excellent example of early Greek
Revival architecture and was built in the early 1820’s. It features a
triangular gable with massive returns, a large frieze, and corner pilasters.
The doorway also has pilasters and sidelights with an entablature above.
The house is constructed of hand-hewn beams with interlocking joints and
wooden pegs.
Henry Ainsworth, the original owner of the house, was a very prominent
citizen of the village prior to his death in 1841. Dr. Avery Ainsworth,
Cape Vincent’s first physician, also lived here.

Next to the Ainsworth House sits the …
29

Cornelius Sacket House *
The Cornelius Sacket House is architecturally significant as a remarkably
intact outstanding example of a high style Colonial Revival style
residence. The best example of the Colonial Revival style in Cape
Vincent, it was built in about 1900 by Cornelius T. Sacket, the son of
General Sacket. The house displays a high quality of design and
craftsmanship and an abundance of refined detail, reflecting the longestablished wealth and prominence of the Sacket family. Its location on
the river and its boat house and dock reflect the importance of
recreational use of the river beginning in the late nineteenth century and
continuing to the present.
The Cornelius Sacket family sold the property in 1935 to Mr. Dean, who
was a Director of the F.W. Woolworth Co. The property remains a
residence.
Next to the Sacket House on the waterfront is located the â&#x20AC;Ś
30

Erastus Burnham House
The Erastus K. Burnham House is architecturally significant as an
outstanding example of Italianate style residential architecture in the
village of Cape Vincent. Built in 1870, the high style and large scale of
the house reflects both Cape Vincent’s mercantile prosperity in that
period and the wealth and prominence of its original owner.
Erastus K. Burnham, a wealthy grain dealer, merchant, and banker, was
the original owner of the house. He also owned the only grain elevator in
town and was president of the Bank of Cape Vincent. He served as the
Village President and was an active member of St. John’s Episcopal
Church. In 1907 he sold the property to Mrs. Nellie Casler, the author of
Cape Vincent and its History (1906).
Cross Esseltyne Street and looking towards the water note the monument and
flagpole of Veteran’s Park where twice a year the fallen solders of America’s Wars
are honored. Proceed half a block further up Broadway and view on the left the …

31

Glenn Building *
The Glenn Building is architecturally and historically significant as a
remarkably intact example of a small-scale, Italianate style commercial
& residential building that reflects Cape Vincentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mercantile expansion
in the late nineteenth century. Built circa 1887, it represents the
combination of family home and business that was characteristic of small
villages during the late nineteenth century. The Glenn Building is named
for Mr. and Mrs. Glenn who owned it from the late eighteen hundreds,
when Cape Vincent was a thriving international port and mercantile
center for the surrounding area, until 1940. Mrs. Glenn operated a candy
store in the storefront and Mr. Glenn sold paint in the building at the rear
of the property. The storefront had been used for a liquor store since
1940 and most recently it is used as a seasonal gift shop.
Continue to the end of the block to James Street, turn right and travel back to the
Historical Museum. Just beyond the Museum on the water is the â&#x20AC;Ś

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Ferry Landing
The old ferries connected this wilderness community to civilization in
Canada. They initially were powered by work horses walking on
treadmills attached to paddles. These were eventually replaced by diesel
engines. The ferry has been operated by one family, the Hornes, for over
a century.

The view across the water is of Wolfe Island, Canada, where the ferry
docks. Another larger ferry can take you from Wolfe Island to Kingston,
Ontario. Many of the older established families of Cape Vincent were of
Canadian (especially Wolfe Island) origin.
The historic ice bridge from Cape Vincent to Wolfe Island allowed trade
and travel to continue throughout the winter. US and Canadian Customs
remained open, one on each side of the border.

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Also in the waterscape is Cape Vincentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Breakwall. In 1899, the town
fathers wished to have a safer harbor protected from fierce storms from
the northeast. Work was completed on the structure in 1906. One of the
original lights on the Breakwater can be viewed in front of the town
buildings located on the right as you travel out of the village about one
mile up Market Street (12E).
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This completes the Village Tour. We hope you enjoyed the tour and we thank
you for your interest.

The basis for this Historic Guide is a booklet that was published many years
ago by the Cape Vincent Improvement League. In order to provide wider
public access, we have changed the format to be more suitable for the
internet and included updated color photos. Over time, we will provide two
additional sections to this booklet: “The Tibbetts Point Tour” and the
“Countryside Tour”.